Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

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The Return of Dining Out for Life!

Monday, July 12th, 2010

logo-descriptionHello ARCS friends and supporters:

My name is J. Dewey, and I’m the Director of Public Relations and Resource Enhancement for ARCS. I’m very excited to announce that ARCS will be bringing back Dining Out for Life, our restaurant fundraising event, for 2011. Dining Out for Life is an international event hosted by local HIV/AIDS charities, with over 60 participating cities and regions across North America. Food Network star (and former Queer Eye guy) Ted Allen and renown actress Pam Grier are our spokepeople!

On the fourth Thursday of April each year, participating restaurants will donate a certain percentage of their income to ARCS. So, the more YOU dine out at these restaurants, the more they’re able to contribute to helping our programs and services for Hudson Valley residents dealing with HIV/AIDS.

Though it seems like a long way off, please mark your calendars now for Thursday, April 28, 2011! We’ll be working diligently to sign up restaurants, get volunteers involved, recruiting table captains and diners, and putting together a media campaign. If you’re a restaurant owner – or if you’re a frequent patron of a particular restaurant you think would like to participate – contact me at jdewey@arcs.org and we’ll send you all the information on becoming a DOFL restaurant! You can also sign up for our e-mail newsletter to stay in the loop on all our upcoming events.

MUCH more information coming soon!

Thank you very much for your interest in ARCS and our clients in need.

J. Dewey

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Summertime Family Fun: Go 'Gades, Fight AIDS!

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

hvrenegades_logo300If it’s summer, then you know ARCS is working with the Hudson Valley Renegades baseball team to bring awareness to the local fight against HIV/AIDS.

Join ARCS at a special HIV/AIDS Awareness Night at Dutchess Stadium on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 for “Go ‘Gades, Fight AIDS.” The Renegades take on the Tri-City Valley Cats and we know you’ll want to be there to cheer them on! At last year’s game over 60 ARCS supporters gathered for a great evening.

For just $20, you’ll get your general admission ticket, a free hot dog, a free soda, and a Renegades baseball cap. Plus, you’ll be making a donation to AIDS-Related Community Services’ programs and services for Mid-Hudson HIV-positive clients and their families. Cheering for the local team means that we’re able to help local people in need!

We will also be collecting non-perishable food items, toiletries and household cleaners for our Poughkeepsie food pantry. The more you bring, the more we’re able to hand out to hungry families.

To purchase your tickets, go to www.gadesgroups.com and enter the password “ARCS” for the special ticket package. All tickets will be held at the VIP table near the ticket window, outside the main entrance. Items for our food pantry can be left at this table.

ARCS’ supporters will be gathering in the first base general admission seating section so we can all cheer on the ‘Gades together!

If you have any questions, please call (914) 785-8283 or email jfernandes@arcs.org. See you at the Stadium!

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"Social Stigma in the Suburbs:" An Upcoming Conference for Service Providers

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

On Thursday, June 24, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 pm, the Westchester MSM Coalition presents “Social Stigma in the Suburbs: Overcoming Stigma in the MSM Community” at Memorial United Methodist Church in White Plains.

The conference includes a keynote speech from Darrell P. Wheeler, Ph.D. followed by a Q&A session. The majority of the day will be spent in workshops focused on different segments of the MSM population, and wraps up with a panel discussion on how to continue the dialogue in the future. Continental breakfast and lunch are provided. This conference is provided free of charge to service providers and professionals working with the MSM community.

Deadline to register is June 18, 2010. To register, download and print out this PDF form and mail or fax it to Alice Honeywell at ARCS, 40 Saw Mill River Road, Hawthorne, NY 10532. The fax number is (914) 785-8331. For conference related questions, call Kelly Green at (914) 813-5256 or email her at keg1@westchestergov.com.

For directions to Memorial United Methodist Church, visit www.memorial4all.org. It is located at 250-252 Bryant Avenue in White Plains, NY 10605.

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June is National LGBTQ Pride Month

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
The ARCS team carries our banner through New Paltz at the 2009 Pride March.

The ARCS team carries our banner through New Paltz at the 2009 Pride March.

LATEST NEWS: View a photo slide show from the New Paltz Pride March and Festival!

June is National LGBTQ Pride Month, and several Hudson Valley communities are carrying on their annual Pride marches and festivals. ARCS participates in these celebrations of diversity and dignity to honor our roots as a spin-off of The LOFT LGBT Community Center, and because of the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis among men who have sex with men (MSMs).

New studies show that MSMs are newly infected with HIV at a rate 44 times higher than other men…and 40 times higher than women. ARCS has responded to these statistics by successfully creating a new program to educate young MSMs of color. We’re especially proud to be offering enhanced HIV prevention services to guys ages 16 through 24 in Westchester as of June 1st – and we are working hard to secure additional funding to expand the program to the entire Hudson Valley.

If you’re out and about at any of the upcoming LGBTQ Pride events, please stop by and say hi!

This June, you’ll find ARCS’ big red tent at the New Paltz Pride March and Festival on Sunday, June 6th and at Gay Pride Rockland in Nyack on Sunday, June 13th. Please stop by to say hello, pick up some free brochures and condoms, and fill out health surveys that help us plot the course of future programs. There are tons of Pride activities all week long at the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center, (the hosts of New Paltz Pride) so be sure to check them out.

ARCS will also be tabling at the Westchester County LGBT Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, June 9th at the County Center in White Plains from 6:30 to 8:30.

And don’t forget the Valley’s newest Pride event, Hudson Pride! This charming, quirky town has organized its first LGBT Pride march and festival on Sunday, June 20th. The fun kicks off with a sunset cruise on Saturday, June 19th from 7 to 9:30 pm.

For all the latest Pride happenings, be sure to check out our friends at BigGayHudsonValley.com, and for national events visit TheBody.com’s new Pride section.

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Photos from Our "Swanky Soiree"

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

On Thursday, May 20, 2010, ARCS volunteers Andrew Mandolene and Todd Goddard threw us a “Swanky Soiree” Friendraiser cocktail party in their immaculately restored 1957 modern home in Armonk. Fifty guests–some of whom arrived in period costumes–enjoyed wines donated by Bob Brink from Arlington Wine & Liquor, and classic hors d’oeuvre from Nancy Silver Catering. We raffled off prizes from Greenwich Medical Spa, Harnik Jewelers, Bella Capelli Spa in Pleasant Valley, the Hudson Valley Renegades, Crate and Barrel, and Core Vodka. With delightful spring weather and a wonderfully warm atmosphere, several new ARCS supporters met established donors and staff and learned more about ARCS’ newest programs.

Photos by Jo Ann Kraus. To view more photos from this event, please visit our Facebook page.

The

The “Mod Men” home

Swanky Soiree

ARCS’ Jana Fernandes sells raffle tickets to Bob Brink of Beacon.
Swanky Soiree

Michael Turner of White Plains and Tammy Murphy of Hartsdale
Swanky Soiree

Mrs. Richter and one of our hosts, Andrew Mandolene, with Gertrude, all from Armonk
Swanky Soiree

The guests gather on the terrace to learn more about ARCS’ programs.
Swanky Soiree

Jana Fernandes measures raffle tickets with Trina Hiemcke, ARCS’ Director of Education and Prevention
Swanky Soiree

Robina Ramsay poses in the study.
Swanky Soiree

The living room.
Swanky Soiree

The dining area.
Swanky Soiree

Another view of the living room.

Swanky Soiree

Kevin O’Shea of Rye Brook, ARCS’ Executive Director, Jeff Kraus and Charles Ferro.

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"The Big Yvent" Honors Westchester County's Former LGBT Liaison

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

The Westchester Pride Coalition has announced that Yvette Christofilis, former head of the Westchester County Office of LGBT Affairs, will be honored at a special event on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 6:00 pm in White Plains. Christofilis’ office, along with several other minority services, was eliminated from the Westchester County government as of January 31, 2010.

The Westchester Pride Coalition, a group of non-profits serving the LGBT community, grew out of a meeting convened by the former LGBT Liaison. With her nurturing and support, the WPC was able to hold Westchester’s first ever LGBT Pride event last September at Rye Playland, which attracted over 400 participants. “It was only natural for us to honor Yvette Christofilis,” said David Juhren, Executive Director of the LOFT LGBT Community Center in White Plains. “She in effect launched the Coalition, which carries on her work without direct county government ties.” An LGBT Advisory Board will continue to provide vital feedback and policy advice to the county legislature.

The WPC invites the community to join them in thanking Yvette Christofilis for her two years of service to Westchester’s LGBT community at a cocktail reception on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at Cabo in downtown White Plains from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. This fundraising reception, playfully called “The Big Yvent” in Christofilis’ honor, will also raise much-needed funds for this year’s Westchester Pride at Playland.

Tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased in advance at www.westchesterpride.org/bigyvent.html or at the door. There will be complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. Cabo is located at 107 Mamaroneck Avenue in downtown White Plains. There is plenty of municipal parking within the immediate area, including the parking lot directly behind Cabo. Supporters can also purchase a congratulatory listing in the program to thank Christofilis for her work and legacy.

The second annual Westchester Pride at Playland 2010 is set for Saturday, September 11, 2010 with a rain date of Sunday, September 12. The WPC is already planning festivities and aims to increase the event’s attendance and importance.

Members of the Westchester Pride Coalition include AIDS-Related Community Services, Center Lane, the Gateway Program at Westchester Medical Center, GLSEN Hudson Valley, Lambda Peer Support Services, The LOFT LGBT Community Services Center, NYTRO, PFLAG Westchester, Planned Parenthood, Rainbow Alliance of Westchester, Straight Spouse Network, Victims Assistance Services, and Westchester Lesbian Connection. For more information visit www.westchesterpride.org.

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Pump Up Check Up: A Health Event for Guys

Monday, April 5th, 2010

Hey guys, join ARCS and the Westchester MSM Coalition for our next “Pump Up Check Up” event on Monday, May 3, 2010 at Flex Appeal gym in Mount Vernon, NY. This event brings an array of extremely vital yet quick and easy health screenings to men aged 18 to 49, a population typically reluctant to routinely access medical services.

“Men in this age group, particularly young men, go to their doctor only when they exhibit symptoms of illness,” says Yedidah Yehudah, Program Administrator for the Health Department’s Division of Community Health. “By that point they need treatment, but many major health issues can be prevented or lessened by early detection. Our goal is to remind men of the need for basic periodic screenings to check for things like high blood pressure and diabetes.”

The mini-health fair also features sexual health information and HIV testing. “There are no symptoms for HIV infection until much later in the disease’s progress,” said Trina Hiemcke, Director of Education for AIDS-Related Community Services, one of the event’s sponsors. “We recommend that all sexually active men get an HIV test every six months. Without preventive screenings, many young men are left in the dark about their HIV status and could spread the virus to their partners.” At this event, attendees can opt for a free, rapid oral swab test in a confidential setting; those who do so will receive incentives such as small gift certificates.

Visitors will also enjoy refreshments, raffles, prizes, nutritional consultations and advice from fitness trainers. Yehudah says that the coalition chose to hold the event in a fitness center to drive home the message. “Men make time for sports and working out, but sometimes neglect other aspects of their health. Monitoring your blood pressure and getting an HIV test are just as important as that daily jog and eating right for maintaining overall wellness.”

Monday, May 3, 2010
4 to 8 pm
Flex Appeal
156 Gramatan Avenue, Mount Vernon

Featuring:

Diabetes Screenings
Body Mass Indexing
Blood Pressure Checks
HIV Testing
STD Screenings
Nutrition Consultants
Fitness Trainers
Free Incentives and Raffles
Refreshments

Sponsored by:
Westchester County Dept. of Health
MSM Coalition of Westchester
AIDS-Related Community Services
Hudson River Community Health
The LOFT
Westchester Medical Center
Flex Appeal

For more information, please call 914-813-5256

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Join the Hip Crowd for a Swanky Soiree "Friendraiser" for ARCS

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
Swanky Soiree at ARCS | Thursday May 20 2010 6-8

Swanky Soiree at ARCS | Thursday May 20 2010 6-8

Swing and sway to a cool lounge vibe at ARCS’ cocktail party on Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the home of “Mod Men” Andrew Mandolene and Todd Goddard in Armonk.

Please join us to celebrate ARCS’ newest programs and services for those affected by HIV/AIDS in the Hudson Valley. Staff will provide a quick update for guests on our new nutrition services, our medical care access program, and HIV prevention services for substance users. The remainder of the time will be devoted to mixing, mingling and getting to know more about your fellow ARCS supporters!

Classic hors d’oeuvre provided by Nancy Silver Catering

Wines donated by Bob Brink of Arlington Wine & Liquor

50’s Retro/Rat Pack Attire Encouraged — a la Frank Sinatra & Ava Gardner

11 Tallwoods Road
Armonk, NY 10504

Please RSVP to Jana Fernandes at (914) 785-8283 or jfernandes@arcs.org by May 14, 2010

$20 suggested donation at the door

About Our Hosts:

Andrew Mandolene and Todd Goddard’s stunningly restored 1957 home in Armonk serves as the luxe location for our first Friendraiser of 2010. The home was featured in Dwell’s February issue.

Andrew Mandolene is a designer and art director. His portfolio can be viewed at www.andrewmandolene.com.

Todd Goddard is a real estate agent specializing in mid-century modern homes. Visit his current listings at www.architecturalhomesny.com.

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Join the Planning Committee for the Hudson Valley AIDS Walk!

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Looking to get involved with something really juicy and meaningful? Want to have a huge impact on the lives of people in great need in the Hudson Valley? ARCS is now forming a volunteer planning committee to help us put on this year’s Hudson Valley AIDS Walk. We need help recruiting teams, walkers and other volunteers; bringing in corporate sponsors and local businesses as partners; finding great entertainment; planning fun activities and giveaways; organizing smaller events leading up to the Walk to publicize the event; tabling at local venues like the Poughkeepsie Galleria to raise awareness, and many other aspects of this huge event.

The committee will meet each month beginning in April at our Poughkeepsie office in the early evenings. We haven’t set an exact date and time for our first meeting yet, since that will depend on committee members’ availability. The Walk itself is slated to occur in late September, hopefully on the Walkway Over the Hudson!

For more information or to join the committee, please call J. Dewey at (914) 785-8326.

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Enjoy an Elegant Easter Brunch and Support ARCS

Friday, March 12th, 2010

On Saturday April 3, 2010 at 11:00 a.m., The Culinary Institute of America’s graduating class of April 15, 2010 present “An Elegant Easter Brunch” to benefit AIDS-Related Community Services and the Brian Smith Scholarship Fund at the magical on-campus Ristorante Caterina de’ Medici.

Price per Guest: $42.00 (includes all beverages, taxes, and service charges). Please note: Restaurant gift certificates are not redeemable at this event.

All proceeds will go towards ARCS (AIDS Related Community Services) and The Brian Smith Scholarship fund.

Only 60 seats are available for this special plated brunch with family-style seating.

This event is presented by The Culinary Institute of America’s graduating class of April 15, 2010. These future leaders in the hospitality industry are responsible for all of the planning and execution, from menu development to the overall atmosphere and presentation of the event.

AIDS Related Community Services (ARCS) is the largest organization solely dedicated to providing HIV/AIDS services to people in New York’s Hudson Valley region. It was founded in 1983 by a small group of lesbian and gay citizens. Since its inception the agency has grown to service the needs of over 10,000 community members annually throughout the Hudson Valley.

Brian Smith was a beloved Professor here at The Culinary Institute of America. His C.I.A. career began in 1987 and he remained with the college until his passing in December 2009. Brian taught several classes during his time at the CIA and influenced many minds. Brian Smith was a great man that many faculty, student, and community members hold dear to our hearts.

Reserve your ticket today, before seats are sold out! Visit this page to preview the menu, though everything is bound to be delicious!

An Elegant Easter Brunch at the CIA to benefit ARCS

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